Digital Art and Design

The Digital Art and Design (DART) program prepares students for the engaging field of digital design and gaming. Offering a foundation for a broad understanding of digital media, this major stresses the aesthetics of design and effective technology for an engaging, interactive experience. Students will learn visual and technical skills, such as design principles, digital art creation, animation, and web development, to create interactive projects in the digital environment. These interactive digital arts and technology courses are combined with communication and business practices to best prepare the student to enter the workplace. Internships are highly encouraged. The need for talented and well‐trained designers with extensive technology training is in high demand and career opportunities in this evolving field include video design and production, interactive media design and production, game development, motion graphics design, web development, print media, advertising and promotion design, internet presence and marketing, digital photography, consulting and digital project management.

Points of DistinctionDART students learn to synthesize ideas and practices from across the spectrum of historical and contemporary contexts, focusing not just on making the new, but making the needed. Potential future opportunities for students graduating with the Digital Art & Design major include:

Graphic/Digital Designer

Web Designer

Audio/Visual Performance Artist

Artist

Project Manager

Instructional Designer

Art Director (technical to creative liaisons)

Game Designer/Developer

Interactive Exhibition Designer

3D Model Maker

Art Administrator

Art Buyer

Art Consultant

Artist's Agent

Gallery Owner

Upon completion of the Digital Art & Design major, graduates will:

Present work that demonstrates perceptual acuity, conceptual understanding and technical facility at a professional entry level;

Illustrate familiarity of historical achievements, current major issues, processes, and directions within their field and the ability to place works into proper contexts;

Select and utilize technology tools effectively in a variety of artistic and design media for the creation, reproduction, and distribution of visual messages;

Select and utilize technology tools effectively and ethically by examining use of fonts, use of illustrations/images, use of software, use of copyright/trademark issues and standards of professional practice a variety of artistic and design media for the creation, reproduction, and distribution of visual messages by displaying a personal aesthetic in the community;

Develop, design and create graphic art as an effective and informed tool of communication.